Abstract
This chapter highlights adverse effects of antipsychotic drugs. Antipsychotic drugs have incapacitating, adverse effects; however the severity of the conditions for which they are prescribed is the only justification for their use. Clotiapine is an atypical antipsychotic agent, which shares with clozapine strong antiserotonergic properties. Clozapine is associated with increased risks of agranulocytosis and seizures, and is also associated with a reduced likelihood of extrapyramidal adverse effects. Clozapine is said to have a lower risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and tardive dyskinesia. Clozapine, in low dosages, effectively suppresses psychotic symptoms in Parkinsonian patients taking dopaminergic drugs. Another atypical antipsychotic drug is risperidone, which is a dopamine (D 2 ) and serotonin (5-HT 2 ) receptor antagonist. Risperidone causes a dose-dependent increase in plasma prolactin concentration leading to galactorrhea, menstrual disturbances, and amenorrhea in women and infertility in men. Risperidone carries a reduced risk of extrapyramidal adverse effects. It is not a substitute for clozapine in treating psychosis in parkinsonian patients and should be used with caution.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
